Bristol-based coach serves weekly wellbeing tennis sessions for mums

Tennis and sport in general can play a positive role in supporting and promoting positive mental well-being and an LTA short-film featuring tennis coach Elly Shearman has showcased exactly that.
Shearman is the head coach at Kings Tennis Club in Bristol and the LTA film highlights her Ladies’ Wellbeing and Tots tennis programme for new mums in the local community.
Following the birth of her first child, Shearman recognised that there were limited opportunities for new mums in the local area to engage in physical activities with their babies and toddlers, and wanted to use tennis as a platform to get women active and benefit their wellbeing.
But thanks to funding through the LTA’s Open Court programme, which forms part of the governing body’s work to open up tennis to new audiences, Shearman was able to set up her Ladies’ Wellbeing and Tots tennis programme, which she now runs all year round with her husband Francois.
The weekly Monday morning sessions allow women to enjoy playing tennis, improve their game and socialise with other new mums in the Bristol area. Mums are invited to bring their babies in buggies which can be left at the side of the court, or if they’re a little older, they can attend the concurrent toddlers’ session which is packed full of fun games and activities. After the sessions, everyone is encouraged to stay on for tea and biscuits in the clubhouse.
“Having had my own children, it was a bit of an eye opener to learn that there was such a lack of activities for mums; activities that really allow you to relax and do something for yourself,” Shearman said.
“We started the sessions in 2015 with the support of the LTA, originally as a six-week taster and it was really popular. We now we have around 50 women signed on to the programme.
“I think it’s great for the mums’ mental wellbeing to be outside and get active. The sessions give them a full body workout so they feel like they have done something and it’s benefiting their health – both physical and mental. But it’s also very social; they can have a chat with other mums and many women have said they have made friends when otherwise they have felt isolated after having kids.”
One of the mums who regularly takes part in the sessions, Joey Walker, feels it is a great initiative.
“I think the physical, mental and social elements of sport are massive and this initiative is great because it’s just for mums,” she said.
“There aren’t many other activities where you can come, with your child and do the same sport at the same time, be coached and play together.”
Watch the full feature film below via the LTA’s YouTube channel.
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Jack Draper suffers defeat but promises to return to Wimbledon a better player
It wasn’t to be this year.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day four: Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal battle on
Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady won on Thursday to keep the British flag flying.
-
Wimbledon
Alex De Minaur joins girlfriend Katie Boulter in Wimbledon third round
The 20-year-old won the first set on Court One but fell to a 5-7 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-3 defeat.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon: ‘Every day is a challenge’
Rafael Nadal is prepared to grind his way into the second week at SW19.
-
News
Iga Swiatek made to sweat to progress at Wimbledon and extend streak
Karolina Pliskova was the big seed to exit the women’s draw on Thursday while Kirsten Flipkens bowed out.
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios has the belief he can win Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios believes in himself even if nobody else does.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – John Lloyd on the key reason for the stunning form of Katie Boulter and British players at Wimbledon
The stunning success of British players at Wimbledon contunued as Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady all won.
-
Wimbledon
Heather Watson ‘pretty relaxed’ as she looks to break new ground at Wimbledon
This is Heather Watson’s fourth time in the Wimbledon third round.
-
Wimbledon
Liam Broady hails ‘amazing feeling’ after beating Diego Schwartzman for biggest win of his career
The British No 5 lost 11 games in a row but fought back to down the 12th seed.
-
Wimbledon
Kyle Edmund set to end 18-month injury nightmare with Wimbledon mixed doubles appearance
The former world No 14 will play mixed doubles in SW19.